Hondathan. Thanks for your reply. The 2 very simple questions remain unanswered. What lineage is Paul Cave's from (BJJ) and what belt are himself or his instructors in that form of martial arts. When one introduces themselves as specialised instructors, surely they have the relevant "backing" to answer it. Entering Goju Kai or ISKA tournaments or picking the SA team for those tournaments doesnt make you a qualified BJJ instructor. . A blue belt that has been training for 2 years in BJJ could be considered a specialised BJJ instuctor. Not the greatest qualifications but qualifications non the less. I have called both BJJ clubs in Cape Town ( Gracie Barra and Gracie Cape Town) and NON of the instructuctors shunned the questions that I asked. Internet research has also qualified them as legitimate and specialised BJJ schools. Why couldn't Paul Cave go the same????????
Gary: I think there is only 1 QUALIFIED SOUTH AFRICAN BJJ instructor. Nick Gregoriades is South African, although living in London and training under Renzo Gracie,and a black belt instructor. COME ON PAUL CAVES. I DONT GIVE A SHITE IF YOU ARE A WHITE BELT or BLACK BELT BJJ INSTUCTOR.IF A QUESTION IS ASKED. ANSWER IT. SURELY YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE!!!!!

i will find out tommorow night exactly.........AND ........As im new here.........i hav nt had time to xplore the site properly......BUT..........is this site for all martial arts enthusiasts..........ie.......stand up and ground.......or mainly ground?????just curious??

Rodney King is the only BJJ black belt in SA AFAIK and teaches out of Joburg. He does a lot of corporate & mental attitude type stuff & MMA training.

Penny Thomas (another South African) got her black belt just after moving to Hawai, I think she trains with Relson & is doing well on the tourney circuit.

There are a few legitimate BJJ clubs in SA, and a few key players apart from us including Kurt (Renzo Gracie), Weikus Swart & his affiliates (Rio Grappling Club), Chris Bright (a nogi specilist & ADCC competitor), and Dave Levey (Carlson Gracie). As you can see, the SA BJJ community is a closeknit one and the belts are respected & earnt.

'MMA' is the term used for what used to be called 'no holds barred' type fighting typified by the UFC (invented by my instructor Rorion Gracie) and similar events. Fighters that do 'Mixed Martial Arts' prepare themselves for fighting in the ring or cage. This is very different from doing a 'mixture of martial arts' like aikido, karate and judo, but this ambiguity could be convenient for some.

Mike Barnardo was a very successful K1 fighter from SA. According to the web, he trained at 'Steves Gym'.

I hope this info helps.

Can you please invite Paul Cave to respond to this thread, it's only right that he has the opportunity to give some input. If he is a 6th degree black belt in BJJ I would really like to get him round for some seminars at our club.

no its not like a cult...its called respect....if you cant make it for work you have to phone to let them know,right,...well same thing with a teacher/instructor.its simple manners....

What does respect have to do with it? I respect my instructor and I do let him know if I can't make it (but only because I am an assistant instructor). When I was just a student I used to go to class whenever I could, don't see any reason to let him know if I wouldn't be there.

If someone can't make it to a private lesson then of course they should let the instructor know, but an open group class? I don't see any reason for it. It's got nothing to do with respect.

The analogy of work is terrible... I have signed a contract with my employers to say I will work X hours per day and be paid Y for it. I have a legal obligation to go to work every day and my contract states I should attempt to let them know if I am not going to be in or am going to be late.

Enough of this anyway, find out for us;

a- what Paul's rank in BJJ is,
b- who awarded him that rank,
c- if he is not the BJJ instructor, who is and what are the answers to a & b for them?

i will find out tommorow night exactly.........AND ........As im new here.........i hav nt had time to xplore the site properly......BUT..........is this site for all martial arts enthusiasts..........ie.......stand up and ground.......or mainly ground?????just curious??

Thanks for your cooperation, it really is appreciated. As was stated before it would be cool if Mr. Cave, himself, could also register on this site and discuss these issues with us personally.

Also, welcome to the site. I suggest going to newbietown and making an introduction thread. That way we can all get to know you a bit better. Also, yes, this website is for all MA enthusiasts, including standup, ground, weapon, and empty hand. Hope you enjoy.

?

Originally Posted by RobT

What does respect have to do with it? I respect my instructor and I do let him know if I can't make it (but only because I am an assistant instructor). When I was just a student I used to go to class whenever I could, don't see any reason to let him know if I wouldn't be there.

If someone can't make it to a private lesson then of course they should let the instructor know, but an open group class? I don't see any reason for it. It's got nothing to do with respect.

The analogy of work is terrible... I have signed a contract with my employers to say I will work X hours per day and be paid Y for it. I have a legal obligation to go to work every day and my contract states I should attempt to let them know if I am not going to be in or am going to be late.

Enough of this anyway, find out for us;

a- what Paul's rank in BJJ is,
b- who awarded him that rank,
c- if he is not the BJJ instructor, who is and what are the answers to a & b for them?

allright......you dont agree,,thats fine.....we were obviously brought up differently.>>i will find out the a,b,c........